In true fairytale style, Ms Luzveminda O'Sullivan, the newly-crowned Rose, was paraded through the streets before being presented to the people of Tralee. The aptly-named "Midnight Madness" was then declared officially begun with the traditional fireworks display greeting the new Rose.
Ms O'Sullivan, who represented Galway, had been installed as 2/1 favourite to win by bookies in the town.
The Boston New England Rose, Keira Flynn, had earlier left the stage to play drums with the Garda band, while the Sydney Rose, Kylie Anne Burke, played the bagpipes.
The winning Rose receives £2,500, an original Waterford Crystal trophy, an Emerald Star Shannon cruise holiday from Guinness and additional prizes from Eircell and Supervalu.
Last night brought back memories for the new chief executive of the festival, Noreen Cassidy, who was herself crowned Rose of Tralee in 1986, when she represented Leeds. In 1996 she became the first Rose to participate on the judging panel.
Ms Cassidy, who has been officially observing during this year's festival, took up her duties when the 1998 Rose was crowned. She said that her priorities would be the preparation of a five-year business plan for the festival.
RTE's Director-General, Mr Joe Mulholland, praised the new conference centre facilities at the Brandon Hotel, which hosted the televised proceedings. An estimated 880,000 viewers watched the first night of the festival on TV.
The winning Rose will this morning begin her day at the Radio Kerry studios, where she will take calls from well-wishers throughout the Republic. Later, all the Roses will visit the Birds Amusements and Tralee Races with their escorts for their final day together.